David Whitehouse, MD

Dr. Charles Engel is a board-certified psychiatrist who earned his MD and MPH from the University of Washington in Seattle. He completed his psychiatry residency at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco and a fellowship in psychosomatic medicine at the University of Washington Medical Center. He has held clinical, research, teaching, policy, and administrative roles at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Seattle VA Medical Center, and most recently served as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

Dr. Engel specializes in caring for adults affected by stressful or traumatic experiences. He treats posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, substance-related concerns, and persistent physical symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and memory and focus. His approach is person-centered and collaborative, focusing on meaningful improvements in symptoms, quality of life, and functioning across important life roles.

Dr. Engel begins with a careful diagnostic evaluation and works with patients to identify the changes that matter most in their lives. Treatment plans are developed collaboratively and may include thoughtful medication management and practical strategies for coping with daily challenges. Follow-up visits focus on supportive conversations, problem-solving, and small, meaningful steps that support recovery and long-term well-being.

Asli Saba Abaci, MD is a dual board-certified psychiatrist in Adult Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. She earned her medical degree from Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical School and began her career in emergency medicine at a major trauma hospital. She later completed a research fellowship at Georgetown University before finishing her psychiatry residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, followed by a Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship in 2004. Dr. Abaci has served as a faculty member at the University of Rochester Medical Center since 2005 and has extensive experience across hospital, outpatient, and school-based mental health settings. She is deeply passionate about patient care, family involvement, and medical education.

Dr. Abaci values building meaningful, reliable relationships with her patients and believes psychiatric care extends beyond medication management. She prioritizes understanding each patient’s life experiences, circumstances, and cultural background. Open, ongoing communication and cultural humility are central to her approach, and she finds fulfillment in supporting patients’ growth across all stages of life.

Dr. Abaci begins care with a comprehensive understanding of each patient’s past and present, emphasizing collaboration with families and other providers when appropriate. She strives to offer the highest quality care by discussing thoughtful treatment options in a safe, supportive, and trustworthy environment. Teamwork and individualized care are essential components of her practice.

Dr. Michael Locher completed Adult Psychiatry Residency Training at Los Angeles County, University of Southern California in which he focused two years of training in conducting Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. Dr. Locher received his Bachelor of Science Undergraduate degree in 3 years with Phi Beta Kappa honors at University of Miami, Florida. In medical school at Stony Brook School of Medicine in New York, Dr. Locher was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society while earning his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Dr. Locher has held academic appointments at University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Western University of Health Sciences, and Ventura Community Memorial Health System Psychiatric Residency Training Program. He has an in interest working with immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities.  

Dr. Locher’s approach to medication management is that it is one tool to be used in the broader context of a multi-modal evidence-based treatment approach that draws upon psychotherapy, mindfulness skills, Buddhist psychology, psychedelic AKA “mind manifesting” studies, yoga philosophy, and other integrative practices. He understands that healing is an individualized process that cannot unfold without a safe space. Dr. Locher is dedicated to holding an approachable, empathic space where you can feel empowered to write the next chapter of your life.  

Dr. Locher is well versed in treating the full spectrum of mental illness. Having worked on multidisciplinary teams in acute inpatient psychiatric hospital settings, psychiatric emergency rooms, and mental health urgent cares for the better part of 10 years, he is comfortable helping with not just mild to moderate illness, but also the most severe cases of mental illness. Dr. Locher is especially motivated to work with you to maintain stability, avoid hospitalization, and more broadly, to achieve wellness.

‍

Michael Huang is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who takes a holistic, collaborative, and non-judgmental approach to mental health care. He graduated from Boston College with his MSN after many years of working in inpatient psychiatry at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA, and has over a decade of experience in mental health care. He has worked in various outpatient settings, first in Boston and more recently in Las Vegas, gaining extensive experience with individuals from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

Michael strongly believes that each person’s struggle is unique, and the solutions and treatments should be individualized based on the person’s goals. Having experienced childhood trauma himself, he is particularly passionate about and experienced in treating C-PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder. His focus is on helping others find peace, whether momentary or lasting, in their chaotic and often overwhelming lives.

The first appointment with Michael includes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and a discussion about your goals for treatment. While pharmacological treatment may be part of the plan, Michael prefers to focus on the therapeutic aspect of care, as he believes therapy is an essential component of healing. With Michael, you can expect to collaboratively create a treatment plan that you feel comfortable with, rather than simply being told what to do.

‍

Dr. Adele Veksman is double board-certified in adult psychiatry and psychosomatic medicine, with over 14 years of experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions. She approaches each patient as a unique individual, offering a non-judgmental space to help patients develop into their best selves. She focuses primarily on medication management to alleviate symptoms while working with patients on behavioral changes to address underlying issues. If additional therapy is needed, she may suggest adding a therapist to your care team to provide the best outcome. Dr. Veksman received her medical degree from St. George's University and then completed a residency in psychiatry and fellowship in psychosomatic medicine at Zucker Hillside Hospital at Northwell Health. Next, she was an attending and ER psychiatrist at North Shore University Hospital providing psychiatric care to medically ill patients. She then transitioned to adult outpatient care at Maimonides Medical Center, treating various psychiatric illnesses. Throughout her career, she taught and supervised residents and medical students.

Dr. Ernesto Gonzalez is a board certified adult psychiatrist. He completed his undergraduate training at Yale University and received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed his residency training at the Cambridge Health Alliance/Harvard Medical School Adult Psychiatry Training Program. Dr. Gonzalez prefers a holistic approach that takes the time to know the whole patient, incorporating biological, psychological, social, and cultural perspectives in crafting a comprehensive, individualized, treatment plan. He practices medication management combined with supportive therapy, typically delivered within 30 minute sessions. Elements of psychodynamic, dialectical behavior and cognitive-behavioral therapy will also be incorporated into sessions based on a patient's individual needs. If additional therapy is needed, Dr. Gonzalez will recommend the addition of an individual therapist to the patient's treatment team. Having dedicated his career to adult outpatient psychiatry, Dr. Gonzalez has worked with patients from a wide range of ages, cultures, ethnicities, and social settings across the New York City area. His primary focus is working with patients with depression, anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD. He also values working with people adjusting to changes in their lives, whether it be grieving the loss of a loved one, changes in employment, relationships, or adjusting to changes that come with age. Prior to joining Talkiatry, Dr. Gonzalez was an Assistant Professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine and served as Director of the Adult Outpatient Psychiatric Department, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team, and Collaborative Care Departments at Woodhull Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. He also had a small practice near his home. Dr. Gonzalez has also had a lifelong interest in meeting new people and experiencing different cultures. This interest has taken him as far away as the townships of Cape Town, South Africa and as close as his local diner, and it edifies the work he does with patients.